low beam projection
04-04-18, 11:10 AM
#1
Driver School Candidate
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low beam projection
Hi All,
I noticed that the projection for the low beam headlight were odd on my car when I purchased used last year...bright spot projection at approximately 10 o'clock and 2 o'clock. I thought that it had something to do with the way the bulb was decaying, so I changed out the bulbs last weekend. The result was the same bright spots at the same locations. Has anyone else experienced the same problem and, if so, is there a fix. I can't imagine that the headlight reflector was designed that way.
Thanks in advance
I noticed that the projection for the low beam headlight were odd on my car when I purchased used last year...bright spot projection at approximately 10 o'clock and 2 o'clock. I thought that it had something to do with the way the bulb was decaying, so I changed out the bulbs last weekend. The result was the same bright spots at the same locations. Has anyone else experienced the same problem and, if so, is there a fix. I can't imagine that the headlight reflector was designed that way.
Thanks in advance
04-04-18, 12:29 PM
#2
Pole Position
There are two aim adjusters on each headlight. You remove a cap and adjust with a flat head screwdriver.
Check one of the bulbs, they could have been replaced with the wrong type. My 2001 uses the "R" (restricted) version. There is a section of the bulb with a coating on it at the bottom to keep the light from going down and being reflected out.
If they put in the D2 (no R), then you might have the wrong bulb. They are exactly the same except for the coated part. I bought a set on Amazon for under $20. Been working great.
So either adjust your aim (one of mine was too high). I cranked it down with the adjuster. It moves very slow, many turns to make progress.
Check one of the bulbs, they could have been replaced with the wrong type. My 2001 uses the "R" (restricted) version. There is a section of the bulb with a coating on it at the bottom to keep the light from going down and being reflected out.
If they put in the D2 (no R), then you might have the wrong bulb. They are exactly the same except for the coated part. I bought a set on Amazon for under $20. Been working great.
So either adjust your aim (one of mine was too high). I cranked it down with the adjuster. It moves very slow, many turns to make progress.
04-04-18, 06:27 PM
#3
I’ll be interested in the feedback on this thread. I have a new to me 2005 UL, and have just replaced the 13 years old HID bulbs with the correct replacement Phillips bulbs. Same 10 & 2 o’clock peripheral vision bright zones. Helps the side of the road vision, but not optimal for straight ahead. Really feels lacking in the rain at night.
04-04-18, 06:49 PM
#4
Lexus Champion
Hi All,
I noticed that the projection for the low beam headlight were odd on my car when I purchased used last year...bright spot projection at approximately 10 o'clock and 2 o'clock. I thought that it had something to do with the way the bulb was decaying, so I changed out the bulbs last weekend. The result was the same bright spots at the same locations. Has anyone else experienced the same problem and, if so, is there a fix. I can't imagine that the headlight reflector was designed that way.
Thanks in advance
I noticed that the projection for the low beam headlight were odd on my car when I purchased used last year...bright spot projection at approximately 10 o'clock and 2 o'clock. I thought that it had something to do with the way the bulb was decaying, so I changed out the bulbs last weekend. The result was the same bright spots at the same locations. Has anyone else experienced the same problem and, if so, is there a fix. I can't imagine that the headlight reflector was designed that way.
Thanks in advance
04-09-18, 09:45 PM
#5
Driver School Candidate
My 04 had the same issue, apparently HID headlight bulbs at factory is 4200k, mine seems to be much much better after changing it to 5000K bulb temp. However in rain, if there is over head road lights, at time I have to check myself to see my head lights are even on.
I’ll be interested in the feedback on this thread. I have a new to me 2005 UL, and have just replaced the 13 years old HID bulbs with the correct replacement Phillips bulbs. Same 10 & 2 o’clock peripheral vision bright zones. Helps the side of the road vision, but not optimal for straight ahead. Really feels lacking in the rain at night.
06-14-18, 09:41 PM
#6
What brand is the bulb and where did you buy it? Mine seems bright enough, but I do not have anything to compare with so I dunno. I wonder if the difference is significant/noticeable if I change the HID bulb.
06-27-18, 12:43 PM
#7
~Robert
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06-27-18, 07:45 PM
#8
Hi All,
I noticed that the projection for the low beam headlight were odd on my car when I purchased used last year...bright spot projection at approximately 10 o'clock and 2 o'clock. I thought that it had something to do with the way the bulb was decaying, so I changed out the bulbs last weekend. The result was the same bright spots at the same locations. Has anyone else experienced the same problem and, if so, is there a fix. I can't imagine that the headlight reflector was designed that way.
Thanks in advance
I noticed that the projection for the low beam headlight were odd on my car when I purchased used last year...bright spot projection at approximately 10 o'clock and 2 o'clock. I thought that it had something to do with the way the bulb was decaying, so I changed out the bulbs last weekend. The result was the same bright spots at the same locations. Has anyone else experienced the same problem and, if so, is there a fix. I can't imagine that the headlight reflector was designed that way.
Thanks in advance
If I know the new bulb is significantly brighter, I will be replacing them in a heart beat.
06-27-18, 10:11 PM
#9
Do you see a significant different in output from old vs new bulb? I am considering replacing the HID bulb since I am not sure how old these are. They look fine and bright to me, but I have nothing to compare them to.
If I know the new bulb is significantly brighter, I will be replacing them in a heart beat.
If I know the new bulb is significantly brighter, I will be replacing them in a heart beat.
06-28-18, 04:46 AM
#10
Intermediate
I’m interested to know about this as well. Mine haven’t been changed since I bought the car 3 years ago, so as far as I know, mine are the originals from 2004 as well. Anyone know what the average life expectancy is of the original HID bulbs? And as BCT asked, has anyone replaced an original 14 year old bulb with a new OEM bulb and notice a big difference in brightness?
when adjusting the headlight aim, on the 01-03 models, if you adjust the height up and down with the above mentioned bolt, there was another adjuster off to the side you had to turn a set number of times in order for the auto level motor to still engage the tab in the headlight. Is the 04-06 model the same way since it has up/down and swivel action?
Last edited by RushNatU; 06-28-18 at 04:50 AM.
06-29-18, 12:32 AM
#11
It maybe brighter but more importantly, will it actually work with LS projector lens if you plug in an LED bulb. I guess there is only one way to find out, but my guess is it will not work because the headlight is not designed specifically for LED.
I have seen the LED headlight from Acura/Honda. I am not sure if it is brighter compare to LS (maybe it is brighter if compared side by side).
06-29-18, 07:31 AM
#12
Pole Position
It sounds exactly like you need the D2R. The R version (restricted beam) has a portion of the bulb that is coated to deflect/direct the beam.
My 01 requires the D2R. I found out the hard way because I ordered a set of R and they sent me regular D2. I tried one and it was blindingly harsh.
I had to send them back and get them to ship me R.
My 01 requires the D2R. I found out the hard way because I ordered a set of R and they sent me regular D2. I tried one and it was blindingly harsh.
I had to send them back and get them to ship me R.
Last edited by bloomwcjkl; 06-29-18 at 08:10 AM.
06-29-18, 11:43 AM
#13
I’m interested to know about this as well. Mine haven’t been changed since I bought the car 3 years ago, so as far as I know, mine are the originals from 2004 as well. Anyone know what the average life expectancy is of the original HID bulbs? And as BCT asked, has anyone replaced an original 14 year old bulb with a new OEM bulb and notice a big difference in brightness?
~Robert
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Mbodall (06-30-18)
06-29-18, 11:52 AM
#14
You'll always find some variation depending on the manufacturer and the items in question, but good quality HID bulbs tend to last somewhere in the range of 2000-3000 hours of active use. That might be a couple years, might be more than a couple years, it really depends on how much you use your headlights.
~Robert
~Robert
Appreciate you jumping here! So for us who bought used cars, obviously we have no idea how it was driven by previous owner. Did the previous owner do a lot of night driving, or mostly day time. I guess my question is, how do I know when I need to replace them? One of my buddy said that HID bulb degrade very little, until it just stop working one day. So he thinks there is no need to replace them until they die. I am not sure if that is true?
06-29-18, 11:56 AM
#15
Hi Robert,
Appreciate you jumping here! So for us who bought used cars, obviously we have no idea how it was driven by previous owner. Did the previous owner do a lot of night driving, or mostly day time. I guess my question is, how do I know when I need to replace them? One of my buddy said that HID bulb degrade very little, until it just stop working one day. So he thinks there is no need to replace them until they die. I am not sure if that is true?
Appreciate you jumping here! So for us who bought used cars, obviously we have no idea how it was driven by previous owner. Did the previous owner do a lot of night driving, or mostly day time. I guess my question is, how do I know when I need to replace them? One of my buddy said that HID bulb degrade very little, until it just stop working one day. So he thinks there is no need to replace them until they die. I am not sure if that is true?
Even at a degraded amount of output, an HID bulb is still pretty bright, so you may not need to take action until you see some negative results. When you do get around to changing them, however, you're probably better off putting in a fresh pair at the same time. That gives you two new ones with more similar amounts of usage on them.
~Robert